Light-tractor gang-plow



I. A. WEAVER.

LIGHT TRACTOR GANG PLOW.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 17,1916.

1,342,479. Patented June-8, 1-920.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

I. A. WEAVER. L|GHT TRACTOR GANG PLOW.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 17, I916.

Patented June 8, 1920.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I. A. WEAVER.

LIGHT TRACTOR GANG PLOW.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 11, 1916.

1,342,479, Patented June 8, 1920.

. 6 SHEETS-SHEET 3- pzmauw/l /////A I Wwssa Y 1 v Jar/aw? I. A. WEAVER.

LIGHTIRACTOR GANG PLOW.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 11,1916.

Patented June 8, 1920.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

I. A. WEAVER.

LIGHT TRACTOR GANG PLOW- APPLICATION FILED JULY 17.1916.

Patented June 8, 1920.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5- I A. WEAVER.

LIGHT TRACTOR GANG PLOW.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 17.1916.

Patented June 8, 1920.

- I 91 95 I v Q v I We)" '..UNITED STATES {PATENT OFFICE.

IRA A. WEAVER, 0E SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, .AssIeNo BY MEsNE ASSIGNMENTS,

TO THORNE BROTHERS, INCORPORATED OF ILLINOIS.

, or oHIoneo, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION LIGHT-TRACTOR GANG-P OW.

Original application filed March 22, 1915, Serial N o.

1916. Serial No. 109,671. Y

' light traction engines so designed that, the

operator of the engine may have full control of the plow from'his'seat. The larger engines and plows in common use are both provided with platforms and two men are employedto'handle the outfit, one to'run the engine and the other to manage the V plows. The modern small tractor is .provided with a single seat for the operator and it is extremely difiicult for him to remain in. his seat and operate the control levers on the plow which are in the rear for the reason that the levers are quite beyond his reach. To overcome this difiiculty I'have provided a screw mechanism with a crank arranged in easy reach of the operatorof the engine so that the depth may be. easily regulated, and have also provided means whereby the plows can be leveled by the same crank mechanism.

' Another feature of the invention is the automatic lift controlled by, the operator 7 through a cord such as a'rope,jchain or rod whereby the plows may be raised automatically at the end of the furrow and also so arranged that a slight pull on the cord will cause the plow to out less deeply in order to relieve the enginein passing through soft marshy spots in the field.

A further feature of the invention con sists in the provision of means whereby one of the plows may be disengaged entirely for the time being or permanently to relieve the load of the engine when the traction surface is poor or when the load is too great to pull all the plows composing the gang.

A further improvement consists in the manner of connecting and bracing the plow units so that allthe parts are perfectly interchangeable and a more rigid construction is secured.

Other improved features relating to flexibility of connection and high lift will bemade apparent as the description'proceeds. In order that the invention may be readily Specification of Letters Patent; i Patented June 8,1920, I I

16,045. Divided and this application filed. Jul 17,.

understood by those skilled in the art a pre- 1 ferred embodiment of thesame is set forth in the accompanying drawings and detailed description based thereon. Obviously the construction may be modified to embrace equivalent mechanical features for obtaining the same results in varying degrees-wherefore it will be understood that the drawing and description are to be taken in an illus trative and not in an'unnece'ssarily limiting sense. In the drawings- 5 I Figure 1 is atop planview of plow embodying the invention",-

Fig. 21s a side elevation of the same with elevated position; 7

a gang the last plow indicated in dotted lines in 1 Fig. 31s an enlarged detail view of the screw mechanism for controlling the plows; Fig. 4: is a'lon itudinal section through a portion of Fig. .3 on a yet larger scale;

,Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively sectional details' on the lines 5 -5 and 6-6'of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the clutch mechanism for elevating the plows;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the. clutch mechanism Fig. 9 is a vertical section through the clutch mechanism on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8; and

-Figs. '10 and 11 are fragmentary views I showing the tripping mechanism of the clutch. V

Referring-to the drawings it will beob other with another unit attached with a lever mechanism. It is not considered good pract1ce,however,to make a gangof more than four plows rigidly secured to each other as they will not do good work over rough or uneven ground. -i

The plow is carriedby two wheels 29 and 30, the former running in the furrow and served that the beams 21 and 22 of the two forward plow units 23 and 24; are securely united by'meansof the cross member 25' while the beam26 of the rear plow unit 27 the latter on the land. These wheels are mounted on the axles 31 and 32 which have crank portions journaled in the beams 21' and 22 at-33 and 34 respectively. The we hitch bars 35 and 36 are secured to. the forward endof the beams 21 and 22 ,and to the hitch bars are attached adjustable draw bars n 37 and 38 which lead to the engine.

An upright bar 39 is secured to thefront' end of the plow frame at 40 and is braced by the members 41 and 42 thus forming a for ward support for the adjusting screw spln- 1943 7 r @Ihe rear end-of the screw spindle 43 is .15

connected to the cranked portions 4 and 45 Z of the axles 31 and 32 by means of rocker nut optionally-held. against rotation by.

zhand crank 60 and the nut 52 is prevented from rotating by the detent 56, bothnuts 49' and 52 would travel upon the screw up. or thefurrow wheell29 may be elevated a new land by disengaging the detent 56 arms 4 (j and respectively. Theroc'ker 7 arm 4'6 -isconnectedby means of links 48,

with the nut 49, engaging the-threaded portion of the spindle 43,"while the rocker arm .4'Z isp ivoted at.5 0 to a yoke 51 within Which is mounted a friction controlled nut 52 which includes a threaded block 53 pressed into engagement with'the threads ofthe screw spindle43 by. means of springs 54,. 54...Ball bearings 55-55 provide for the anti-friction mounting of the nutwithin the yoke .51. The

means of a detent arm 56 projecting from a coll r 57 secured to the rock shaft 58; the forward end of which terminates ina handle 59. .located adjacent the hand crank 60 of the screw spindle 43, both within convenient:

reach of the operatorseated on theengine. This rock shaft 53 is'frictionally heldin adjusted angular position with the detent arm in or out ofengagement with the re- 'ce'sses (ilof the nut 52 by means of a leaf spring 62 mounted on the yoke 51- and rest-- ing'npon the collar 57 From the above 1t will be apparent that if the, spindle 43 is rotated by means of the spindle 43; and would thereby crank the axles 31 and 32 to an equal extent, thereby changing the depth of the plow units: 23 and 24 for raising them to. their extreme height when desired.

The 'plow units'23 and 24-may be leveled in relation to the land wheel 30 to open-up from the nut 52 by means o f'the rock shaft 58. If the screw spindle 43 is now rotated V by means of the hand cra'nkGO the nut49- willtravel upon the spindlewhile'the nut 52 reason of the friction'bet'ween the spindle and-the friction block53, will re:

-' volve with the spindle and will not "travel thereon. Thus no cranking motion will be transmitted to the land axle 32.

. It will be observed that'the rock shaft '58 is graduated at 63,the gradations of which n read relative to the. guide 64 so that the operator may set the'plow units to cut to the proper depth before theyenter the soils Stops are likewise providedat 65fand 66 to 3 define the limits of movementfof "the nut 52 upon the screw spindle 43 so as toprevent over-zuljustmentof the plow units. Adjustable stops 67 on the screw spindle 43 are likewise provided which coact with the guiding brace 39 to prevent overradjustmentfof the axles. V a

The power lift consists of a cone friction clutch mechanism mounted on. the land aXle 32 and is shownin detail in Figs. 7 to-1 1 inclusive. The inner clutch member 1 68 is carried by the sleeve 69 of the axle 32 while the outer clutch member-70 is'mounted to means ofa hook member 75 provided with V a series of holesTGfor enora ement b the connectingbolt 77 whereby to secure adjustability. The two clutch members 68 and 70 are held yieldingly out of engagement 'by meansof the spring 78'and are r brought into engagement by means of a lever 7 9 to whicha cord such as acha'in, rod, or rope 80 is secured and extends within easy reach of The lever 79 is provided with the operator. two cam faces 8181 arrangedto co-act with the rollers 82, 82 mounted in the bracket 7 83 secured to the axle .32. A projection 34 fromthe bracket 83 carries a spring pressed pawl 85 which is adapted to engage withina notch 86 on the clutch member 70 when the plow is tobe elevated 'A member 87 has a slotted connection at 88 with the lower: end of the lever 79 and also a slotted con nection with the lowerfend'of the arm 74;

thus forming an adjustable stop to limit the cranking 'movement of the axle 32. A

toothed wheel 89 having alternate'shallow notches 9'0 and deep notches 9-1 is pivoted at 9-2 on the inner side of the clutch member 70 withits teeth projecting through aslot adjacentthe notch .86. The pawl 93 pjrevents backward movement'of the toothed wheel 89 and holds the same in position under the action of the spring 94;

The operation of the power lift is as follows: When the operator pulls the cord 80 the cam'fa'ces 81'of the lever act against the rollers 82, thuscro'wding the two clutch members 68 and 70 together against the influence of the spring 7 8 and the friction engagement between the clutch members causes I the member 7O to rotate with the land wheel thereby causing thechain 72 to wind upon in said Fig. 11.

of the plow starts a reverse motion which is finally stopped by the engagement of the pawl 85 in the notch 86 as shown in Fi 11. 6

During this movement the pawl has engaged one of the deep notches 91 of the toothed wheel 89 and moved itto the position shown To lower the plow the clutch is .again thrown in operation by a pull upon the cord and the forward movement of the clutch member 70 carries the toothed wheel 89 a few degrees in advance of the pawl 85, and when the cord is again released and the clutch member '70 begins itsreverse movement the pawl engages within a shallow notch 90 which holds the point of the pawl at sufficient elevation to cause the same to clear the notch 86 and to ride up the inclined face onto the peripheral surface of the clutch-member 70. This permits the reverse movement of the clutch member 70 and the drum 71 allowing the descent of the plows into the soil. By applying light tension to the lifting cord 80 theplow can be lifted part way so as to temporarily relieve the load upon the engine if the drive wheels of the latter begin to slip or to sink in marshy soil.

The movement of the cranked portion 45 of the axle 32 under the action of the clutch mechanism is transmitted to the cranked portion 44 of the axle 31 through the rocker arms 47 and 46 and their connection with the screw spindle 43. It will be apparent that the screw spindle 43 will slide through its bearing on the upper end of the brace 39. It is also apparent that the rocker arm 47 is shorter than the rocker arm 46. This makes'the' plow self-leveling when raising it to its extreme height which is made necessary by the fact that one wheel is working in the furrow and the other on the uncultivated land. The arm 47 extends also below the cranked portion 45 of the axle '32 as clearly shownin Fig. 3. And to this lower projection 96 a rod 97 is adjustably con nected by means of the holes 98. This rod 97 extendsloosely through'a hole in the upright bar 39 and also through a hole in the brace 99 onthe draw bar 38. The forward end of the rod 97 is providedwith a spool 100, the end flanges 101-101 of which limit the forward and backward movement of the jthe plows run iscontrolled by thetwo carrying wheels 29 and '30. The draw bars37 and 38 are connected to the plow so as to. provide for free vertical movement thus permitting the engine to pass over rough and uneven ground without affecting the operation of the plows." This obtains so' long as the unevenness of the ground will not cause a relative movement between the draw bars and hitch bars sufiicient to take up the play allowed by the spool working through the bracket 99. When the plow is elevated. this rod 97 is drawn backward bythe rocker arm projection 96 and, asthe forward end of the draw bar 38 is prevented from lifting by being connected with the engine, it is evident that the rear plows will be held in elevated position by means of the rod 97 which forms atruss over the'hitcl bar 36 and draw bar 38.

By reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing it will be observed that the two beams 21 and 22 and the plow units 23 and 24 are rigidly secured together and the third beam 26 and plow unit'27 are connected to the forward plows by the bracket 102 which forms a journal for the crank lever 28 which extends beneath the beam'26 and is j ournaled in a box103 secured on the under side thereof. The operating handle 104 is riveted at 105 to the extension 106 of the crank'lever 28 and is provided with the usual hand grip 107 and spring plunger 108 to engage the sector 109. The forward end of the beam '26 is connected to the arm 74.

g It will be apparent from the above that the plow unit'27 is attached to and normally operated in unison with the plow units 23 and 24 through the power lift mechanism and the screw spindle adjustment by reason of its connection with the beam 22.; It'will also be observed that by means of the lifting lever 104 it can be elevated to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 so as to be thrown out of commission for the time be: ing where the traction conditions or soil conditions are such as to call for the use of but two plows in the gang. The method of connection between the plow beam 26 and the plow beam 22 is also such as to permit of the ready disengagement of the plow beam 26, the plow unit 27 and their appurtenant parts soas to make a gang of but two plows where desired. I

I claim: 7

1. In a gang plow, a pair of carrying wheels, cranked axles therefor having rocker arms projecting therefrom, a plu-' rality of plow units carried by the cranked axles, a screw spindle'fixed against longituarms whereby-the depth of the plow units maybe adjusted and the plows raised and lowered by the rotation of the spindle. V .2. In a gang plow, the combination ofa furrow wheel, a land wheel, an axle for each wheel having acranked portion, a pair 'of plow units each carried by one of the cranked axles, a screw spindle fixed-against longitudinal movement and having an operating handle, a rocker arm extending from the crank of the furrow wheel, a similar rocker arm extending from the crank of the land wheel, a non-rotatable nut on. thescrew spindle, a connectionbetween the nut and the first rocker arm, a second n'ut 011 the spindle, and a connection between the second nut and the second rocker arm, whereby the rotation of the spindle will raise and lower the plow units in unison.

3. In a' gang plow, a pair of carrying wheels, cranked axleshaving rocker arms projecting therefrom,.a plurality of plow un'its carried by the cranked axles, a screw spindle extending within reach of the driver and havinganoperating handle,.nuts on thescrew spindle, and a connection between the nuts and the rocker arms whereby the depth of the plow units may be adjusted and the plows raised and lowered by the rotation ofthe spindle fromthe drivers seat; 4. In a gang plow, the.combinat ion of a furrow wheel, a land wheel, an axle for each wheel having a cra'nkedportion, a pair of plow units each carried by one of the cranked axles, a screw spindle having an operating handle, a rocker arm extending from the crank of the furrow wheel, a similar rocker arm extending from the crank oftheland wheel, a non-rotatable nut on the screw spindle, a connection between the nut and the" first rocker arm, a second nut onxthe spindle, and a connection between the second nut and the second rocker arm,

whereby the-rotation of the spindle by the.

actuation of the operating handle will raise and lower the plow units in unison. H

"5. In a gang plow, the combination of a furrow wheel, a land wheel, an axle for each wheel having a cranked portion, a pair of plow units, each carried by oneof the cranked axles,"a screw spindle. extending w1th1n reach of the dr ver and having an operating handle, a rocker arm extending from the crank of the furrow wheel, a similar rocker arm of less length extending from the crank of the land wheel, a non-rotatable nut on the screwv spindle, a conne'ctionbetween the nut and .the first rocker arm,'a H second nut on the spindle, and a connection between the second nut and the second.

rocker arm, whereby the rotation of the spindle by the actuation of the operating handle will raise and lower the plow units in unison but in varying degree.

6. In a gang plow, the combination of a.

furrow wheel, a land wheel, anaxle for each wheel having a cranked portion, a pair of detent normally holding the second. nut 1 against rotation, and detent releasing means whereby the second nut may at Wlll be permitted to rotate with the spindle in order:

to vary the relative levels of the plow bottoms. V V

7. In agang plow, the combination of a furrow wheel, a land wheel, an axle for each wheel having a cranked portion, apair of plow units each carried by one of the cranked axles, a screw spindle extending within; reach of the driver andhaving .an operatingjhandle, a rocker arm extending from the crank of thefurrow. wheel, a similar. rocker arm of less length extending from the crank of, the land wheel, a non-rotatable nut on the screw spindle, a connection between the nut and the first rocker arm, a

second nut on the spindle, a connection be tween the second nut and the second rocker arm, whereby the rotation of the spindle will raise and lower the plow units in unisonbut in varying degree, a detent normally holding the second nut against rotation, and de tent releasing means extending within reach of the driver whereby the second nut may at will be permitted to rotate with the spindle in order to vary the relative levels of the. plow bottoms. v I I Y 8. In a gang plow, .the combination of a furrow wheel, a land wheel, an axle for each wh'eel having a cranked portion, a pair of cranked axles, a screw spindle having an operating handle, a rockerarm extending from the crank of the furrow wheel,a similar rocker arm extending from the crank of. thefurrow wheel, a similar rocker arm extending from the crank of theland wheel,

110. plow units each carried by one of the a non-rotatable nut on the screw spindle, a

rocker arm, a second nut on the spindle, and a connection between the second nut and the second rocker arm, whereby the rotation of the. spindle will raise and lower the plow units in unison, a detent. normally holding thesecond nut against rotation, and detentv conne'ctiOnbetween the nut and the first V releasing means whereby the second nut may at will be permitted to rotate with the spindle in order to vary the relative levels of the, plowv bottoms, the detent releasing. means comprising rod provided with graduations cooperating with a pointermoving with the first nut to indicate the difference in the relative levels of the plow bottoms.

9. In a gang plow, the combination of a furrow wheel, a landwheehan axle for each wheel having a cranked portion, a" pair of plow units each carried by one of the cranked axles, a screw spindle having an operating handle, a rocker arm extending from the crank of the furrow wheel, a similar rocker arm extending from the crank of the'land wheel, a non-rotatable nut on the screw spindle, a connection between the nut and the first rocker arm, a second nut on the spindle, and a connection between the second nut and the second rocker arm,

' whereby the rotation of the spindle will raise and lower the plow units in unison, a detent normally holding the second nut against rotation, and detent releasing means whereby the second nut may at will be permitted to rotate with the spindle in order.

to vary the relative levels of the plow bottoms, and means to limit the extent to which the two nuts may approach or recede from each other on the spindle.

10. In a gang plow, the combination of a furrow wheel, a land wheel, an axle for each wheel having a cranked portion, a pair of plow units each carried by one of the cranked axles, a screw spindle having an operating handle, a rocker arm extending from the crank of the furrow wheel, a similar rocker arm extending from the crank vof the land wheel, a non-rotatable nut on the screw spindle, a connection'between the nut and the first rocker arm, a second nut on the spindle, and a connection between the second nut and the second rocker arm,

the two nuts may approach or recede fronr each other on the spindle, said means comprising stops moving with one of the nuts and adapted to be engaged by the other. V

11. In a gang plow, the combination of a furrow wheel, a land wheel, an'axle for each wheel having a cranked portion, a

pair of plow units each carried by one of the cranked axles, a screw spindle having an operating handle, a rocker arm extending from the crank of the furrow wheel, a

similar rocker arm extending from the crank of the landwheel, a 'non-rotable nut on the screw spindle, a connection between the nut and'the first rocker arm, a second nut on the spindle, and a connection between the secondnut and the second rocker arm,

whereby the rotation of the spindle will raise and lower the plow units in unison, a detent normally holding the second'nut against rotation, and detent releasing means whereby the second nut'may at will be .per

mitted' to rotate with the spindle in order to vary the relative levels of the plow bottoms,

a scale moving with one nut and having graduations to indicate difierences in level,

and a pointer'moving with the other nut and traversing the scale; c

12. In a gang plow, the combination of a furrow wheel, a land wheel, an axle for each wheel havlng a crankedportlon a pair of plow units each carried by one of the cranked axles, a screw spindle having an operating handle, a rocker arm extending; from' the crank of the furrow wheel, a simi- -lar rocker arm extending from the crank of the land wheel, a non-rotatable nut 'on the spindle, a connection between the nut and the first rocker arm, a second nut on the spindle, and, a connection between the second nut and the second rocker arm, whereby the rotation of the 1n unison, a detent normally holding the at will be permitted to rotate with the spindle in order to vary the relative levels,

of the plow bottoms, a. scale moving with p n spindle will raise and lower theplow units" second nut against rotation, and detent releasing means whereby the second nut may r one nut andhaving graduations to indicate difi'erence in level,and a pointer moving with the other nut and traversing the scale, and means to limit the extent to which the two nuts may approach or recede from each other on the spindle and comprising stops moving with one of the nuts and adapted to be engaged by the other. V

IRA A, WEAVE Witnesses: Y

' J. A. LUBY, I R. C. BENNETT. 

